Jacksonville, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer
Jax residents trust us when it matters most
Have you been charged with a crime in Jacksonville, Florida? Dealing with a complicated legal case in Avondale, Riverside or another Jacksonville neighborhood? Confused about what you should do next?
Put your trust in an experienced Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer who knows the city and understands how the legal system works in Duval County. Contact Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. right now and schedule an appointment with us.
A former prosecutor in Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit, which includes Jacksonville, criminal defense attorney Mark Sieron has years of experience representing people charged with serious crimes in Florida’s largest city. Find out how we can help you. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Criminal Cases we handle in Jacksonville
Mark understands how the legal system works on the inside. That’s why he has such a strong track defending clients charged with serious crimes in Jacksonville. Some of the criminal cases we regularly handle include:
The stakes behind these charges are higher than most people realize. A first DUI conviction in Florida can carry fines between $500 and $1,000, up to six months in jail, mandatory DUI school, and a license suspension of six months to a year, with penalties increasing sharply if your blood alcohol level was 0.15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle. Drug possession charges vary widely depending on the substance and quantity involved, ranging from a first-degree misdemeanor for a small amount of cannabis to a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison for other controlled substances. Florida law can impose greater penalties for selling, delivering, manufacturing, or possessing drugs with intent to sell within specified distances of schools, parks, and other protected locations.
Where Were You Arrested?
What Happens After a Jacksonville Arrest?
An arrest begins the case, but it does not determine the charge that will ultimately be prosecuted. After booking at the John E. Goode Pretrial Detention Facility, a person who remains in custody generally receives a first appearance within 24 hours. The judge reviews the basis for the detention and addresses bond, release conditions and the right to counsel.
The case then moves through several important stages:
- Prosecutorial Review: The Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office reviews the police reports and available evidence before deciding which formal charges to file. Those charges may differ from what appeared on the arrest paperwork.
- Arraignment: The accused is formally advised of the filed charges and enters a plea. A defense lawyer may be able to waive the client’s presence at some routine proceedings, depending on the charge and court.
- Discovery: The prosecution provides evidence such as body-camera footage, witness statements, photographs, laboratory results and recorded interviews. The defense can investigate missing evidence and compare the recordings with the officers’ reports.
- Pretrial Litigation: A lawyer may challenge an unlawful stop, search, identification or interrogation, seek dismissal of unsupported charges or negotiate for an acceptable resolution.
- Trial: When the case cannot be resolved fairly, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Early representation matters because useful evidence may still be available and the State Attorney’s Office may not yet have made its final filing decision. A defense lawyer can begin preserving evidence, contacting witnesses and addressing weaknesses in the case without waiting for arraignment.
Why Choose Our Firm
Experience matters when it comes to choosing a lawyer to defend you or a loved one in Jacksonville. That’s why people throughout The River City rely on us when it matters most. Mark knows what questions to ask, what evidence to look for and how to compile a strong legal case designed to succeed.
You have too much at stake to take chances with your criminal defense. If you are found guilty, you could be fined thousands of dollars, locked up in jail for months or years and suffer permanent damage to your reputation.
Attorney Sieron knows what’s on the line. That’s why he takes the time to develop a comprehensive legal strategy that addresses your unique legal needs. Our detailed approach often includes:
- Analyzing your arrest report for inconsistencies
- Advocating to have your charges dismissed
- Filing motions to suppress evidence
- Tracking down witnesses and interviewing them
- Consulting with experts if necessary
- Speaking on your behalf with law enforcement officials
- Appearing with you at all court appearances
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
This might be your only opportunity to clear your name and make a fresh start. Make sure you have an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side who takes your case seriously. Make sure you have Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. in your corner. Contact our law firm today.
FAQs About Jacksonville Criminal Defense
Does it matter which Jacksonville neighborhood I was arrested in?
Not for how we handle your case. Whether the arrest happened in Avondale, Riverside, Mandarin, or anywhere else in the city, your case moves through the same Duval County Courthouse and the same Fourth Judicial Circuit, so the strategy comes down to the facts of the arrest itself rather than which neighborhood it happened in.
How does a former prosecutor help my defense in Duval County?
Attorney Sieron spent years on the other side of the table, building cases for the state before he ever defended one. That means he knows what a prosecutor looks for in an arrest report, what evidence they’ll lean on, and where their case is likely to have gaps, and he uses that insight to find weaknesses a less experienced defense attorney might overlook.
What happens if I’m charged with a sex crime in Jacksonville?
Sex crime allegations can damage your reputation before a conviction, while a conviction for certain offenses can trigger registration requirements. These cases demand a defense built around the specific evidence and circumstances from day one, since the wrong early moves can be difficult to undo later.
What if the police never read me my rights?
Officers are only required to read you your Miranda rights before a custodial interrogation, not at the moment of arrest, so skipping that step doesn’t automatically get a case thrown out. What it can do is keep statements you made afterward out of evidence, which is exactly the kind of issue we look for when we review your arrest.
Your Freedom Matters
A criminal charge doesn’t have to define the rest of your life, but the decisions you make right now will shape how this case turns out. Don’t wait until your court date is looming to bring in a firm that already knows Duval County’s judges, prosecutors, and courtrooms inside and out. Contact Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. today, day or night, for a free consultation. Let’s start building your defense.
Located in between Roosevelt Boulevard and St. Johns River, the upscale Jacksonville neighborhood of Avondale has been a popular place to live for decades. If you have been charged with a crime in Avondale, criminal defense attorney Mark Sieron can fight for justice on your behalf. Our law firm handles a wide range of cases – from DUI arrests on Park Street or St. Johns Avenue, to drug charges, sex crimes or other serious offenses. Whatever the circumstances of your arrest, we can work with you to build a strong legal case.
Located near St. Johns River, Roosevelt Boulevard, Interstate 10 and Interstate 95, the historic Jacksonville neighborhood of Riverside (which also includes the smaller neighborhood of Five Points) has a diverse array of homes, businesses, parks (including Riverside Park and Memorial Park) and St. Vincent’s Medical Center Riverside. If you or a family member has been charged with a crime in Riverside, criminal defense attorney Mark Sieron can work with you to build the strongest possible legal case. Rely on us if you’re facing a serious criminal charge, including a DUI arrest, drug charge, sex crime or another serious offense. We can help.
Located on a peninsula in the St. Johns River, the historic Jacksonville neighborhood of Ortega contains some of the city’s grandest and most elegant homes, as well as The Florida Yacht Club. If you or a family member has been charged with a crime in Ortega, criminal defense lawyer Mark Sieron can represent you throughout your legal proceeding. Our law firm has extensive experience handling complicated criminal cases throughout the area. Contact us if you are facing a DUI charge, drug arrest, sex crime or another serious criminal offense. We can defend your rights and demand justice.
One of Jacksonville’s largest neighborhoods, Southside also includes San Marco, Baymeadows and several other smaller neighborhoods. Easily reached by Interstate 95, Interstate 295 and other major roads and highways, Southside includes a large range of businesses and residences. If you or a family member has been charged with a crime in Southside, criminal defense attorney Mark Sieron can defend your rights and demand justice. Our law firm has years of experience helping people charged with serious crimes. Contact us if you are facing a drug arrest, DUI charge, sex crime or another serious criminal offense.
Located on the St. Johns River near Jacksonville’s Southside, Mandarin is the city’s southernmost neighborhood in the city. Easily reached by Interstate 295, Mandarin’s name comes from the Mandarin orange groves which used to be found throughout this community. If you or a family member has been charged with a crime in Mandarin, criminal defense lawyer Mark Sieron can work with you and help build the strongest possible legal case. We understand how the legal system works in Duval County and can represent you throughout your legal proceeding. Contact us if you are facing a DUI charge, drug arrest, sex crime or another serious criminal offense. We can demand justice for you.